Homecoming for many students, alumni and staff at Virginia Tech means the gathering of friends and family to celebrate a weekend of homecoming traditions at Tech.
One long-standing tradition at Tech is the spirit rally, taking place today at 6 p.m. on the steps of Cassell Coliseum.
Britney Asbury, the Student Alumni Associates Spirit Chair, said this year's pep rally has more participation from student organizations than in the past.
"It has been the same format every year," Asbury said. "But this year there will be more involvement with other organizations. We want to get more and different people in the audience."
Asbury said she's excited about the event and believes that homecoming is "a big celebration for the whole university, where friends, students, family and alumni can get together and celebrate Virginia Tech."
Various student organizations will be performing at the rally, including the Dance Company, the Low Techs and the Highty-Tighties. This year's homecoming court will be introduced at the pep rally, along with appearances from JanSport and Campus Cruizers.
Dean Stevenson, a member of the Low Techs, said that in order to prepare for this event, the dance team has been practicing daily for a routine that is completely different from previous years.
"The performance is a surprise, but I can say that it will involve water, girls and a lot of hip thrusting," Stevenson said.
Another highlight of the event will be an appearance by head football coach Frank Beamer and the rest of the football team on the steps of Cassell Coliseum.
The cheerleading squad will be at the pep rally to add excitement to the atmosphere and get the audience pumped up.
Rickey Hill, head coach of both the High Techs and cheerleading squad, is excited with what the homecoming pep rally and the weekend will bring.
"Homecoming to me is a chance to meet alumni of the High Techs and cheerleading squads," Hill said. "I also will get to see students I have coached in the past four years."
Hill said that performances would be limited for both squads because of the concrete ground -- but the High Techs will still be doing a performance. The cheerleaders' main purpose will be to get people excited by leading chants and cheers.
The Ranger Company will be in attendance to run the game ball, another tradition that Tech has during homecoming weekend.
Col. Rock Roszak, the associate director of the corps of cadets, said the tradition of running the game ball has been a homecoming staple for 31 years, since Tech stopped playing VMI annually for the game.
"The Ranger Company runs the ball 100 miles throughout the week around campus," Roszak said. "After (that), they present it at the pep rally in honor of the class of 1958."
The Ranger Company will also run the ball onto the field before the game on Saturday prior to the coin toss.
Parking for the pep rally will be available in the Cassell Coliseum lot until 10 p.m.